Rain Gear

Biggest challenge is size. You don't look too lightweight to me, maybe it's the picture.

For in-city use I use a poncho I bought for VND200,000 at SaiGon Scooters. Made from rubberised fabric. Nice fluorescent yellow colour.

I also have a pair of calf-length zippered over shoes to stop water splashes from marking my pants. Many VNese drivers seem to get some vicarious delight in ploughing through deep puddles and splashing everyone in range.

For long-distance, driving in the rain, I use a two-piece bright orange 'linesman's rain suit' that I bought in a workman's supply house in Toronto. Made from rubberised fabric.

Two key points: sleeves long enough to cover your arms (with elastic ends to stop the rain coming in) and an integral hood that stops the rain gong down your neck.

I use a a combination of poncho and a one piece rain suit depending on distance I'm traveling and ferocity of the rain.

My poncho has short sleeves, which isn't an issues I just tend to roll up my shirt sleeves and no problems there. The suit is elasticated at all points so no worries on leaks. I don't wear the hood on my poncho and rarely have leaks on my neck.

Out on the boat the inly thing additional to the above I wear is a good so'wester hat.

You had better check them on you before buying because no one is the same shape, some have skinny necks, some have fat heads. I'm serious, no good spending hard earned money only to find your head won't go through the hole, let alone the hood fit around your head.

I see them bootees, made in Italy, in Saigon, in a motorcycle store - OK for city folks but I have my rubber boots that look after me ti my knees.

Since you be from Boston, Anh Map, you be in the right place to get the best of gear down there at a ship's chandlers on the dockside.

Either a heavy duty poncho, or an "executive style" rain coat will do.  The problems with the ponchos are that they can snag passing bikes, pedestrians, oxen...

The other problem is they don't shield your lower legs, so you may end up teaching partially soaked.

The executive type looks great, but if you're hauling a laptop you may have trouble keeping it dry.  With a poncho you can sling your bag across your back and ckeep it both dry and secure.

A good poncho here is about 200K; I'm not sure how much the other style is.